Ramaphosa: Trade unionist, tycoon and S.Africa’s likely next leader

Cyril Ramaphosa’s long and eventful career has taken him from trade union activist to multi-millionaire — and is now likely to become president of South Africa.Ramaphosa

After South Africa dismantled apartheid, Ramaphosa saw his hopes for the country’s top job apparently dashed.

True to his pragmatic character, he opted instead for life in business — a move that brought him spectacular wealth.

But Wednesday’s announcement by President Jacob Zuma that he was resigning immediately following a decision by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to recall him cleared Ramaphosa’s way to the top job.

It was after Ramaphosa failed to clinch the ANC nomination to succeed president Nelson Mandela in 1999 that he swapped politics for a foray into business that made him one of the wealthiest people in Africa.

The 65-year-old’s impressive rise to eventually lead the ANC following its December conference would have come as no surprise to Mandela.

Mandela once described Ramaphosa as one of the most gifted leaders of the “new generation” — the young campaigners who rose in the 1970s, filling the void left by their jailed elders.

During his business career, Ramaphosa held stakes in McDonald’s and Coca-Cola’s local ventures and made millions in deals that required investors to partner with non-white shareholders.

He became one of the richest men on the continent — reaching number 42 on the Forbes list of Africa’s wealthiest people in 2015 with a net worth of $450 million (383 million euros).

Out of politics for a decade, Ramaphosa returned to the fray in 2012 when he was elected to the ANC’s number two post.

He became deputy president of the nation in 2014, but was forced into a careful balancing act. He both served Zuma — tarred by accusations of corruption and incompetence — and also delivered occasional, cautious criticism of his former political master.

ABOUT NIGERIAN ORACLE

A forum to challenge status quo in Nigeria, Instigate a Mental Revolution and cause change that starts with self. Plus we keep you updated with latest news as it breaks.
We invite you to send in your comments, videos, articles etc.... Be a part of this Revolution.